"This new variety is closely allied to the typical Musa balbisiana Colla, but markedly differs by the less-tillering pseudostems, longer (up to 20 cm long) 5 - 6-angled
berries with a larger number of seeds (up to 270 per fruit). Biotechnology and crop-improvement programmes have been initiated with this interesting wild germplasm of banana".

Compared to Musa acuminata, Musa balbisiana is a relatively uniform species. However, there is variation within it and this has led to
various species being differentiated from it (see previous page) although none have survived closer scrutiny.